A little Valentine's Day news

What to do with all the time in between signing day and the start of spring camp? Why not fill in the media on what's happening with your team? Randy Edsall called a press conference this afternoon that was chock full of nuggets and interesting information regarding the team. Here's a not-so-quick rundown.

Marcus Campbell is not in school, and will miss spring practice to deal with "personal issues". Edsall said he hopes Campbell will have everything resolved and be in camp by summer. Brandon Dillon will also miss spring practice because of academic issues. Edsall said it's similar to Dahna Deleston's situation last year, so Dillion was likely academically dismissed and must now pass a course or two to be readmitted in time for next semester.

Lawrence Green will miss the entire season to recover from major knee surgery, which he will undergo on Feb. 26. Green was playing on two bad knees, one with a torn ligament, and is looking at a rehab that will be arduous. He would seem a candidate for a medical redshirt, if he so chooses. Edsall said there was also a medical issue with another player, a non-football, non-life threatening injury, but he declined to name who because the medical results were not in yet.

We already knew Dennis Brown, Derek Rich and Terence Jeffers were transferring. Brown wants to play, not be an understudy, and left for Norfolk State. Rich wants to be closer to his hometown of Gainsville, Ga. and his girlfriend, so he's headed to Georgia with hopes of walking on to the football team. Jeffers wasn't happy with how he was utilized, withdrew from school and is headed to an of yet named program.

Three walk-ons have left the program: Cody Brumbaugh (who I'd never heard of until I just looked at the 2007 roster...he was an offensive lineman, in case you were wondering), quarterback Matt Vollono and wide receiver Mike Conroy. Vollono would like to play somewhere, but hasn't made a choice yet. Conroy plans to give pro baseball another shot, and is looking into opportunities to join a minor league camp in time for spring training. He plans to return to UConn in the fall to continue work on his degree.

Mike Hicks will be moved to right guard. Jarrell Miller to defensive tackle. Scott Lutrus to middle linebacker. Deleston to Husky linebacker. Edsall ran down the full position chart, but I'll have to listen to the tape first because he went kind of fast. We'll post that a little later, but those were the big changes.

Miller, because of his size, is more suited to play DT than, say, Julius Williams. Miller is 263 right now, and could easily play at 270 or 275. Edsall also said he thinks Miller has three years of eligibility left, but needed to check on that. Lutrus, Edsall said, would have probably played inside linebacker last season if the Huskies didn't have problems on the outside. His leadership and ability makes that a natural fit. Deleston's skills also suited him better to play closer to the line of scrimmage. UConn is also deep in the secondary, and players were moved to help in other areas in an effort to get the best 11 on the field.

Spring practice begins on March 18. The spring game is April 19. Team will practice every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. And, to satisfy all the gripers who think media doesn't get enough access in the spring (drum roll, please) every practice is open. Happy now? I thought you'd like that. Now, can you chip in for gas and coffee money?

Edsall can't talk about the proposed Notre Dame series because no contracts have been signed and he doesn't want to screw anything up. Once they're done, expect UConn to set up a teleconference or something of the sort. As for other opponents, Edsall says the Huskies are probably beyond the stage of playing a 2-for-1 with a big name opponent. They could, however, bring in an Akron or someone of the like for a one-shot only deal at Rentschler. We hear there are some other well-known opponents UConn has been in contact with, maybe someday soon, if a deal gets done, we can fill you in.

UConn opens with Hofstra on Aug. 28, which is a Thursday night. I think I had been reporting that game will be on the 30th, so adjust your datebooks. Rest of the non-conference is at Temple (Sept. 6), vs. Virginia (Sept. 13), vs. Baylor (Sept. 20) and at North Carolina (Oct. 4). Big East dates TBA, but its home vs. West Virginia, Pitt and Cincinnati. On the road at Louisville, Rutgers, South Florida and Syracuse.

Here's the updates non-league schedule. Games with Notre Dame are unofficial, and Edsall says there's some others that are in the works. Essentially, the Huskies have one open date in 2010 and 2012, and are set through 2013.